Kentucky Oaks 134 Update: Feb. 11th

TOP STORIES:

• Indian Blessing Rolls In Silverbulletday

• Golden Doc A Wins Grade I Las Virgenes

• Bsharpsonata Takes Forward Gal

• Champion The Choice In Oaks Futures I

SOUTH/UNBEATEN CHAMPION INDIAN BLESSING TAKES SILVERBULLETDAY – Hal and Patti Earnhardt’s Indian Blessing enhanced her already glowing reputation this weekend, as the Bob Baffert-trained champion 2-year-old filly of 2007 kept her perfect record intact with a one-length victory in the $200,000 Silverbulletday Stakes (Grade III) at the Fair Grounds.

Indian Blessing turned back Proud Spell by a length as the odds-on favorite in a replay of their 1-2 finish in last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) at Monmouth Park, solidifying her status as the early favorite for the $500,000-added Kentucky Oaks (GI) at Churchill Downs on May 2. Eclipse Award-winning jockey Garret Gomez was in the saddle aboard the daughter of Indian Charlie, who won for the fifth time and covered the 1 1/16-mile distance over a “fast” track in 1:43.75. Pyro, a major contender for the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (GI), won the Risen Star 30 minutes later in 1:44.68.

“She handled a lot today,” said Baffert. “She showed today she can get the distance. I think she likes two turns better.”

Highest Class rallied to finish third, 1 ¼ lengths behind the top pair.

WEST/GOLDEN DOC A CAPTURES SEASON’S FIRST GRADE I RACE – Jockey Rafael Bejarano guided favored Golden Doc A to a one-length victory over pace-setting Lovely Isle to win Saturday’s $250,000 Las Virgenes (Grade I) over Santa Anita’s reworked Cushion Track surface.

The California-bred daughter of Unusual Heat, making her first start for new owner Ron McCauley, was coming off a narrow loss to Indian Blessing in the Santa Ynez (GII). She rallied from last in the field of six and covered the mile in 1:35.86. Tasha’s Miracle finished third.

Turf Paradise Oaks – California invader Briecat, ridden by Jon Court, scored a 1 ¼-length victory in Saturday’s $75,000 Turf Paradise Oaks at a mile. The winner is trained by Vladimir Cerin.

SOUTHEAST/BSHARPSONATA EARNS OVATION IN FORWARD GAL– Cloverleaf Farm II’s Bsharpsonata, returning to the dirt after back-to-back stakes wins on turf, dueled with favored Keep the Peace through the length of the stretch to emerge with a nose victory in Saturday’s $150,000 Forward Gal Stakes (GII) at Gulfstream Park.

Bsharpsonata scooted through an opening along the rail under jockey Eric Camacho to earn the narrow victory over a “sloppy” track. She covered seven furlongs in 1:23.09. Melissa Jo finished third.

“We are just going to try and keep a level head with her and try and win some races,” said Salzman of the daughter of Pulpit, who now has a record of 5-0-0 from eight career starts.

OBS Championships Set For Monday – A field of 13-year-old fillies was entered for Monday’s filly division of the Darley-Ocala Breeders’ Sales (OBS) Championship at Florida’s Ocala Training Center. Calico Bay, winner of the My Dear Girl division of the Florida Stallion Stakes at Calder, heads the field in the 1 1/16-mile race.

CHAMP TOPS OAKS FUTURES – Champion Indian Blessing emerged as the 4-1 favorite in Pool 1 of the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager, which ended its four-day run on Sunday. Country Star (9-2) and the mutuel field (5-1) followed closely. Final odds for the pool may be viewed at www.kentuckyoaks.com.